Creation of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

The Executive Order recognizes that communicable diseases constitute most leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines.
It declares that control of communicable diseases is a government priority for national development in health.
It establishes that effective communicable-disease control requires a strong biomedical research component with full cooperation between academic institutions and field agencies.
It ties the creation of the Institute to cooperation with the Government of Japan in tropical-medicine development.
It provides that maintenance and operation of the facility at Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila will provide the biomedical research support for communicable disease control programs in the Philippines.

Section 2 defines the scope and coverage of tropical medicine as diseases specific to the tropics, i.e., the geographical area between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn.
Section 2 also covers diseases that present differently in that geographical region compared to other regions.
The coverage includes: gastrointestinal infections, viral hepatitis, bacterial and non-bacterial respiratory infections, amoebiasis, schistosomiasis, filariasis, malaria, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, meningitis, meningismus, measles, mumps, herpes, chicken pox, rocky mountain spotted fever, encephalitis, echo-viral diseases, coxa-chie-viral diseases, and Philippine hemorrhagic fever.
Section 2 authorizes the Minister of Health to include other pertinent diseases in consultation with the Advisory Board.

Section 1 creates a Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, referred to as the Institute.
Section 3(a) provides that the Institute is operated as a special project in the Office of the Minister of Health.
Section 3(a) requires the Minister of Health to promulgate policies for and exercise supervision and control over the Institute.
Section 3(b) provides that the Institute is headed by a Director assisted by an Assistant Director.
Section 3(b) requires that both the Director and Assistant Director be appointed by the Minister of Health.
Section 3(b) makes the Director responsible for implementation of policies and immediate management of the Institute’s programs and operations.

Section 4 grants the Institute powers and functions to:
- Undertake research activities in diagnosis, control, and prevention of tropical diseases that are major causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines.
- Conduct clinical trials aimed at better understanding and control of tropical diseases.
- Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical personnel on control of common tropical diseases in the country.
- Provide high quality tertiary care to both inpatients and out-patients suffering from tropical diseases included within the Institute’s research activities.
- Participate in technical cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in research activities on diagnosis, control, and prevention of tropical diseases.
- Arrange for the participation of the National Science Development Board and the U.P. System Health Sciences Center in planning and implementation of the Institute’s programs.
- Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donations of funds, equipment, materials, and services needed for attainment of the Institute’s objectives.
- Perform other related activities as may be assigned by the Minister of Health.

Section 5 provides for technical and administrative support staff and consultants as may be necessary.
Section 5 allows consultants from both public and private sectors on a consultancy or contractual basis.
Section 5 provides that consultants may be granted honoraria or allowances at amounts determined under existing rules and regulations.
Section 6 creates an Advisory Board composed of:
- The Minister of Health as Chairman.
- The Chairman, National Science Development Board.
- The Chancellor, U.P. System Health Sciences Center.

Section 7 transfers to the Institute all biomedical research functions in tropical medicine of the following units within the Ministry of Health:
- Bureau of Research and Laboratories
- Schistosomiasis Control and Research Service
- Dermatology Research and Training Center
- Malaria Eradication Service
Section 7 transfers to the Institute together with those functions:
- Applicable appropriations
- Records
- Equipment
- Property
- Such personnel as may be necessary

Section 8 authorizes appropriations for the Institute’s operating expenses for the current calendar year.
Section 8 provides that the authorized appropriations come from any unappropriated funds in the National Treasury.
Section 8 requires that subsequent appropriations for the Institute be included in the general appropriations act.

Section 9 repeals or modifies accordingly all laws, decrees, charters, executive orders, administrative orders, proclamations, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof, that conflict with Executive Order No. 674.